Drain structure

ABSTRACT

A drain structure connecting a sink with a waste line. The entire drain structure is outside the horizontally projected extent of the sink so as to optimize the capacity of the sink. A vertically extending screen extending upwardly from the bottom of the sink is substantially coplanar with one sidewall of the sink so as to enhance drainage. A vertically extending tubular valve member outside of the confines of the sink is used to open and close the drain line and is actuatable from above the sink top. Said valve member acts as an indicator of whether the drain is open or closed and also provides an overflow. The valve member may be readily removed for cleaning or replacement.

United States Patent Walraven July 22, 1975 154] DRAIN STRUCTURE 9,1415/1895 United Kingdom 4/198 [76] Inventor: Hank Walraven, PO. Box 1155,

Sausalito, Calif 94965 Przmary Examiner-Robert I. Smith 22 F1 cl: A 221974 1 57 ABSTRACT 2 A l. N 62,99 1] pp 0 A dram structure connecting asink with a waste line. The entire drain structure is outside thehorizontally U-S- projected extent 0f the ink so as to ptimize the ca.Int. Cl. paeity of the ink A vertically extending screen ex [58] Fieldof Search 4/187 R, 189, 190, tending upwardly f the bottom f the k i4/198 204, 287 stantially coplanar with one sidewall of the sink so asto enhance drainage. A vertically extending tubular References Cltedvalve member outside of the confines of the sink is UNITED STATESPATENTS used to open and close the drain line and is actuatable 832,32010/1906 James 4/198 from above the Sink P- Said valve member acts as1,666,583 4/1928 Rost 4/198 indicator of Whether the drain is Open orClosed and 1,835,447 12/1931 Alland 4/287 also provides an overflow. Thevalve member may be FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS readlly removed forcleaning or replacement.

342,394 4/ 1904 France 4/202 10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUL 22 I975 SHEET FIG 7 DRAIN STRUCTURE This invention relates to a drainstructure for a sink and is particularly applicable to thoseapplications wherein it is desirable to provide optimum screening of thewaste water to prevent the debris in the waste water from reaching thedrain line.

The main object of the present invention is the provision of a drainstructure for a sink which permits the sink to be used to its optimumcapacity.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a drain structurewhich does not include any projections projecting into the sink spaceand at the same time permits opening and closing of the drain in asimple and convenient manner.

Still another object of the invention is a drain structure wherein thevalve member is employed as an overflow and also provides a visualindication of whether the drain is open or closed.

Other objects and advantages will be seen from the followingspecification and from the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one of the sidewalls of a sink showing apreferred form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section of the sidewall of FIG. 1 and throughthe drain structure.

FIGS. 3-5 are horizontal cross sections of the invention taken in planesindicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but with the screen removed.

FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken in a plane indicated by lines 77 ofFIG. 6 and showing the screen and housing in exploded relation.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but with the screen secured to thehousing and with the valve member in open position.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in association with a sinkstructure which includes a sidewall l, a bottom wall 2, and a top wall3. Only one sidewall 1 is shown in the drawings and it will beunderstood that additional sidewalls are provided to define the sinkspace. The drainboard or top wall 3 of the sink structure is shown inFIGS. 1-2 and it will be seen that the entire drain structure iscompletely outside of the horizontally projected area of the sinkstructure. This is an important feature of the invention as will be seenlater As best seen in FIG. 2, the sidewall l of the sink is providedwith a generally rectangular vertically elongated opening 4 whichextends from the bottom 2 of the sink to a point closely adjacent thetop wall 3. Around the exterior side of opening 4, sidewall l isprovided with a channel structure generally designated extending aroundthe entire periphery of the rectangular opening 4. Secured to saidchannel member is a housing generally designated 8, the shape of whichis best seen in FIGS. 3,4,5. This housing is formed with a flange whichis generally rectangular in configuration and adapted to be receivedwithin the rectangular channel member 5. Preferably a strong water-tightadhesive indicated at 10 is provided in the channel member 5 and thehousing 8 is pressed against said adhesive with the flange 9 enteringthe rectangular opening defined by the channel 5.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the housing 8 is formed at its lower end toprovide a drain conduit generally designated 11. This drain conduit isof course secured to a drain line (not shown) and is formed at its upperend to provide a frustoconical portion 12 which acts as a seat for avalve element 13 secured to the lower end of an elongated pipe 14.

The pipe 14 extends at its upper end through a sleeve 17 which isfixedly secured to the sink top 3. The upper extremity of pipe 14 isfixedly secured to a head 18 which is preferably provided with a centralaperture 19 so that the discharge end of a swingable faucet may bepositioned above the head 18 in registration with the hole 19 in theevent such faucet is dripping and it is desired not to permit it to dripinto the sink or onto other articles.

As best seen in FIG. 1 the head 18 is provided with a downwardlyextending projection 21 which is received in an upwardly opening recess22 formed on the sleeve 17. When the head 18 is in the position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the valve element 13 at the lower end of pipe 14 is inengagement with the seat 12 thus closing the valve. When it is desiredto open the valve it is merely necessary to raise the head 18 and rotatethe same about its axis to bring the downwardly directed projection 21out of registration with the slot 22 and to a position resting on top ofsleeve 17 as seen in FIG. 8. It will be noted that the position of thehead 18 provides a visual indication of whether the drain valve is openor closed.

An important feature of the present invention is that the sink space maybe used to an optimum degree without interference by either the drain orthe screen that is used to prevent debris from being carried to thedrain in the waste water. The screen of the present invention isgenerally designated 26 and is best seen in FIG. 1. This screen 26 ispreferably cast to provide a plurality of rows of holes 27 which, foroptimum efficiency. should be vertically elongated as shown in FIG. 1.The screen 26 is provided adjacent its upper end with a pair of fingerholes by which the user may apply and remove the screen when desired. Asbest seen in FIG. 7 the screen 26 is formed at its upper end with a pairof inwardly and downwardly directed hook portions 30, 31 (see also FIG.3) and which hook portions are adapted to engage ears 32, 33 (FIG. 6)formed on the housing 8. Similarly a second pair of hook portions 38, 39are formed on the screen 26 about centrally between the upper and lowerends of the latter and these hook portions engage a pair of ears 40, 41formed on the housing 8.

By the above described structure it will be noted that it is a simplematter for the user to apply and remove the screen without the necessityof loosening or tightening any fasteners. The screen is removed by asimple upward and inward movement relative to the sink space and issimply applied in the reverse manner. It will be noted that by applyingthe ears 32, 33, 40, 41 above the center of gravity of the screen 26,that the latter swings naturally into its proper position when appliedto the housing.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the housing 8 is formed to provide an uppercylindrical bearing portion 45 which carries the ears 32, 33, 40, 41.This bearing portion also slidably receives therethrough the pipe 14which also acts as an elongated valve member. The bearing portion 45 isformed with a relatively large aperture 46 spaced upwardly aconsiderable distance from the bottom 2 of the sink, and the pipe 14, ata point registering with aperture 46, is formed with a smaller aperture47 which acts as an overflow for the sink. The invention contemplatesthe provision of interchangeable pipes 14 3 of different length to suitdifferent depths of sinks and also contemplates the provision ofoverflow holes 47 at different elevations from the drain so as to givethe user the option of selecting whatever water level is desired.

The above described invention has numerous advantages over conventionaldrain structures. First it will be noted that there is no drain openingin the sink proper to be obstructed by articles in the sink. inaddition. the drainage from the sink takes place along a substantialdepth of the sink sidewall in which the screen is placed, therebypermitting the draining of the sink to be carried out more efficiently.Furthermore. the pipe 14 may be readily removed for cleaning orreplacement by simply lifting it through the sleeve 14 and the screen 26is also readily replaceable for cleaning.

Although the quick release means on the screen 26 is one of theimportant advantages of the present invention, it may be that in certainapplications it is desirable to prevent release of the screen. as by achild. In such a case the invention contemplates the provision of a clipor a locking screw to prevent the screen from being readily released.For the same reason. locking means may be provided on the valve member14 to prevent actuation of the same. Such means for preventing re movalof the screen 26 and actuation of valve member 14 may be particularlyapplicable when the drain structure is employed in a bathtub.

I claim:

1. A drain structure for a sink having sidewalls. a top wall and abottom wall comprising:

a housing secured to and positioned outwardly of one of'said sidewalls.

a drain conduit at the lower end of said housing and outwardly of saidone side.

a screen positioned substantially coplanar with said one sidewall andextending upwardly from said bottom along a substantial portion of thedepth of said sidewall at said housing. and

quick release means on said screen for removably securing said screen insaid position relative to said one sidewall.

2. A drain structure according to claim 1 wherein an elongated valvemember is positioned in said housing extending upwardly from said drainconduit and terminating adjacent said top wall. said member being formedat its lower end to close said drain conduit.

3. A drain structure according to claim 2 wherein said housing is formedwith guide means for slidably receiving said valve member, meansadjacent said top wall for holding said valve member in an elevatedposition with said lower end spaced upwardly from said drain conduit foropening said drain conduit.

4. A drain structure according to claim 3 wherein said valve member istubular-and is provided with an overflow opening in its sidewalls spacedsubstantially above said lower end.

5. A drain structure according to claim 4 wherein said valve member isremovable through said top wall to permit cleaning and replacing thesame.

6. A drain structure according to claim 1 wherein said quick releasemeans comprises hook portions on said screen and ears on said housing.

7. A drain structure according to claim 6 wherein said hook portions andears are at the upper portion only of said screen.

8. A drain structure for a sink having sidewalls. a top wall and abottom wall comprising:

a housing secured to and positioned outwardly of one of said sidewalls,

a drain conduit at the lower end of said housing and outwardly of saidone side.

a screen positioned substantially coplanar with said one sidewall andextending upwardly from said bottom along a substantial portion of thedepth of said sidewall at said housing. and

an elongated valve member positioned in said housing and extendingupwardly from said drain conduit and terminating adjacent said top wall.said member being formed at its lower end to close said drain conduit.

9. A drain structure according to claim 8 wherein said housing is formedwith guide means for slidably receiving said valve member. meansadjacent said top wall for holding said valve member in an elevatedposition with said lower end spaced upwardly from said drain conduit foropening said drain conduit.

10. A drain structure according to claim 8 wherein said valve member istubular and is provided with an overflow opening in its sidewalls spacedsubstantially above said lower end.

1. A drain structure for a sink having sidewalls, a top wall and abottom wall comprising: a housing secured to and positioned outwardly ofone of said sidewalls, a drain conduit at the lower end of said housingand outwardly of said one side, a screen positioned substantiallycoplanar with said one sidewall and extending upwardly from said bottomalong a substantial portion of the depth of said sidewall at saidhousing, and quick release means on said screen for removably securingsaid screen in said position relative to said one sidewall.
 2. A drainstructure according to claim 1 wherein an elongated valve member ispositioned in said housing extending upwardly from said drain conduitand terminating adjacent said top wall, said member being formed at itslower end to close said drain conduit.
 3. A drain structure according toclaim 2 wherein said housing is formed with guide means for slidablyreceiving said valve member, means adjacent said top wall for holdingsaid valve member in an elevated position with said lower end spacedupwardly from said drain conduit for opening said drain conduit.
 4. Adrain structure according to claim 3 wherein said valve member istubular and is provided with an overflow opening in its sidewalls spacedsubstantially above said lower end.
 5. A drain structure according toclaim 4 wherein said valve member is removable through said top wall topermit cleaning and replacing the same.
 6. A drain structure accordingto claim 1 wherein said quick release means comprises hook portions onsaid screen and ears on said housing.
 7. A drain structure according toclaim 6 wherein said hook portions and ears are at the upper portiononly of said screen.
 8. A drain structure for a sink having sidewalls, atop wall and a bottom wall comprising: a housing secured to andpositioned outwardly of one of said sidewalls, a drain conduit at thelower end of said housing and outwardly of said one side, a screenpositioned substantially coplanar with said one sidewall and extendingupwardly from said bottom along a substantial portion of the depth ofsaid sidewall at said housing, and an elongated valve member positionedin said housing and extending upwardly from said drain conduit andterminating adjacent said top wall, said member being formed at itslower end to close said drain conduit.
 9. A drain structure according toclaim 8 wherein said housing is formed with guide means for slidablyreceiving said valve member, means adjacent said top wall for holdingsaid valve member in an elevated position with said lower end spAcedupwardly from said drain conduit for opening said drain conduit.
 10. Adrain structure according to claim 8 wherein said valve member istubular and is provided with an overflow opening in its sidewalls spacedsubstantially above said lower end.